The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Russellville Project Office closed Lake Dardanelle’s Shoal Bay swimming area after tests showed high levels of E. coli.

The swimming area, located on the southern side of Lake Dardanelle just off State Highway 197 near New Blaine, will remain closed until two consecutive tests show a lowered level of E. coli.

Finding local lakes and swimming areas with higher-than-normal levels of E.coli is not uncommon, Park Manager Scott Fryer said, adding the difference this year is the timing.

“This is actually a pretty common thing,” Fryer said. “As summer rolls around and the heat starts kicking in, there is generally a spike of E. coli readings in our tests. We do this every year. The only thing that I would say is uncommon about it is that this year it’s happening a little earlier than usual.”

Fryer said increased rainfall amounts are the potential cause of the premature increase of E. coli bacteria in the lake.

“We’ve had a lot of rain lately,” he said. “That means more runoff and drainage into the lake, too.”

Although the swimming area remains closed for now Fryer said he anticipates better test results will be returned soon.

“These situations aren’t permanent,” he said. “As soon as we get two consecutive results that show normal or lower E. coli presence, we will reopen the swimming areas.”